Whether the issue is teeth grinding or clenching, doing so can cause serious damage to a person’s teeth. Over time, grinding one’s teeth will wear away at the protective enamel that covers the tooth’s surface and eventually lead to breakage. Clenching can do the same as well as cause significant strain on the jaw muscles and lead to chronic toothaches. So, what can be done? How can someone stop grinding their teeth? We have just the thing, a guide to stop teeth grinding.
What Causes Teeth Grinding?
Teeth grinding (and clenching), also known as bruxism, are commonly caused by one or a combination of the following conditions:
- Abnormal jaw alignment
- Intense concentration
- Situational anxiety
- Stress
- Anxiety disorders
- Misaligned teeth
- Sleep apnea
- Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD)
Popular Treatment Options
Now that we’ve identified some of the most common causes of teeth grinding and clenching, we can start to look at different treatment options that target each cause. Keep in mind that the key to effective treatment is getting to the root cause of a problem and solving it for good.
There are several popular treatment options for teeth grinding, some you may even be familiar with including:
- Mouth guards
- Relaxation before bed
- Jaw massages
- Avoid chewy foods
- Exercise
- Stress counseling
- Prescription medication
These treatment options mostly approach teeth grinding from a surface level. They deliver surface-level solutions to the deeper problem of why?
Solving Teeth Grinding
Out of all the common causes of teeth grinding, the most common cause is abnormal jaw alignment. This one cause also contributes to many of the others from our list. An abnormal jaw alignment can cause anxiety disorders, misaligned teeth, sleep apnea, and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) making it the most likely to be the root cause.
The solution for teeth grinding? Consulting a neuromuscular dentist.
Say Goodbye to Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding can cause teeth to break down and crack, chip, and ache among other things. If you’re ready to solve the issue of teeth grinding once and for all, consult with a neuromuscular dentist about what treatment options are right for you. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Pamela Marzban by calling our offices at 703-323-8200.
